KILMARNOCK—The Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce this week announced the selection of its Business Person of the Year and the Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
The awards will be presented at the chamber’s annual meeting and dinner at 5:30 p.m. January 28 at Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club, 362 Club Drive, Kilmarnock.
Lindsy Gardner was nominated for Business Person of the Year by members of the community with overwhelming support, reported chamber executive director Anne Paparella.
“The nominations for Gardner spoke highly of her leadership attributes as well as the countless hours and commitment she has given towards our community,” said Paparella.
A native of Linden, Ala., Gardner is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Maryland. She moved to Kilmarnock in September 2007 from Demopolis, Ala., where she was director of the Demopolis Public Library for seven years.
Gardner is the director of the Lancaster Community Library, a position she’s held for over nine years. She successfully designed and implemented a multi-channel capital campaign and coordinated a 27,000-square-foot building renovation to help expand and enhance the Lancaster Community Library.
Her involvement and leadership in the community expands well beyond the walls of the library. As a founding member of both Northern Neck Visions and of Lead Northern Neck she has sought to bring economic development to Lancaster County. Additionally, she has served on Kilmarnock’s planning commission and as president, secretary and treasurer of Kilmarnock-Irvington White Stone Rotary.
She serves as president of the YMCA Camp Kekoka board. In her free time she volunteers with many other nonprofit organizations.
Gardner may be a librarian, but she also has a wild side, she says. She’s plunged into freezing cold Indian Creek for the Kekoka Polar Bear Plunge, attempted the Tarzan swing at the Kekoka Mud Run, jumped out of a perfectly good airplane to celebrate the success of the library’s recent capital campaign, and participated in the bacon eating contest at the State Fair of Virginia.
When she’s not working, volunteering or walking her dog, Butch, she’s watching or researching Alabama football.
“The chamber wishes to thank Lindsy for her efforts and leadership, and convey appreciation for keeping our community viable and headed toward the future,” said Paparella.
The executive board also picked Joanna Marchetti as its Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
“Joanna is a great choice, with her hard work and genuine interest in the chamber,” said Paparella.
“Joanna has served as the chair person for the Taste by the Bay event since its inception four years ago. She brings much enthusiasm, energy and creativity to this chamber signature event. Joanna has also been instrumental in organizing many new events for the chamber. She is such a great source of ideas and works very hard behind the scenes to make our events successful.”
A native of Gloucester and a graduate of James Madison University, Marchetti moved to Lancaster in 2008 and began working for the Rappahannock Record.
In 2011, she was hired by Rappahannock General Hospital for public relations and marketing and has continued as the hospital has transitioned to Bon Secours.
Marchetti also serves on the board for the Northern Neck Family YMCA.
She, her husband, Anthony, and their two children attend Grace Episcopal Church and live in White Stone.
“The board thanks Joanna for her time and energy in organizing and coordinating events that benefit the chamber and the people of Lancaster County,” said Paparella.
Tickets for the annual meeting and dinner are $50 each and include a drink ticket, appetizers, dinner and dessert. Cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m.
The event will have a Mardi Gras theme and there will be a jazz band.
For tickets, call Paparella, 435-6092, visit the Chamber office, 129 South Main Street, Kilmarnock, or go to lancasterva.com. Register by January 25.
